We're only 18 years into the 21st century, so it may seem like an odd time to curate a list commemorating a century's worth of songs, since we still have decades to go before we reach the turn of the next century. Yet given the sheer volume of music already released, it seems rather prudent to get to work now.

To curate the list, Rolling Stone let artists, producers, critics, and industry experts weigh in on their top picks before culling the information into one inclusive list. The result captures a wide range of genres and a diverse group of artists. But we'll cut to the chase. Here's the short version so you don't have to scroll.

Topping the list — so far — is "Crazy In Love" by the incomparable Beyoncé, featuring Jay-Z. Currently in the midst of a joint tour as the Carters, their ranking at the top of the list should not surprise anyone who's seen them live. The single also earned two wins at the 46th GRAMMY Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best R&B Song.

Rounding out the Top 5 are M.I.A.'s GRAMMY-nominated "Paper Planes" at No. 2, the White Stripes' GRAMMY-winning "Seven Nation Army" at No. 3, Outkast's GRAMMY-winning "Hey Ya!" at No. 4, and Jay-Z's GRAMMY-winning "99 Problems" at No. 5. Having fun? I am. Let's keep going. Yeah Yeah Yeahs notch No. 6 with "Maps," Kanye West with Pusha T takes No. 7 with "Runaway," Adele lands at No. 8 with "Rolling In The Deep," Lorde locks in No. 9 with "Royals," and the Strokes' "Last Night" wraps up the Top 10.

Watch Camila Cabello Speak Up For Dreamers

NPR highlighted that while most of these talented artists fall under the umbrella of popstars, their style and influence is far from cookie-cutter, with authenticity playing a prominent role in responders' answers. In NPR's words: "While the majority of the artists you picked are pop singers, your comments show that this commonality doesn't mean they all exert influence in the same way. You remarked on artists' command of their instruments…their inventiveness around genre; their ability to be honest and authentic in their songwriting."

Others on the list include M.I.A., whose hit "Paper Planes" took over the airwaves in 2008, along with Camila Cabello, whose debut single as a solo artist took over the airwaves in 2017, as well as rising star Hayley Kiyoko, who sits at No. 4 on their list, although she only released her debut album, Expectations, earlier this year.

Sep 25, 2018 – 12:42 pm

Hayley Kiyoko On 'Expectations' & "What I Need"

The poll also solicited comments from voters. "[Kiyoko] has influenced an entire new generation of youth to be comfortable with their own sexualities and does this with dreamy pop music that lifts spirits," Manpreet told NPR.

Another response pointed to the importance of Beyoncé, who took first place on the list, as a role model for young black girls. "Her mere presence is enough to encourage young black girls to strive for greatness," fan Niharika Palakodety said. "She doesn't shy away from saying things as they are, and her focus on every detail of her music makes it that much more important."

The superstar herself seems deeply aware of this, which she reflected on during her acceptance speech for Best Urban Contemporary Album for her groundbreaking Lemonade at the 59th GRAMMY Awards. A then-pregnant, glowing-goddess Beyoncé shared during the show:

May 15, 2017 – 1:50 am

Beyoncé wins Best Urban Contemporary Album GRAMMY

"It's important to me to show images to my children that reflect their beauty, so they can grow up in a world where they look in the mirror, first through their own families, as well as the news, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the White House and the GRAMMYs, and see themselves and have no doubt that they're beautiful, intelligent and capable. This is something I want for every child of every race."

Kendrick Lamar To Jay-Z: 2018 GRAMMY Nominees By Region | L.A. To NYC

From the West and Midwest to the South and Northeast, learn where 60 60th GRAMMY nominees were born in the United States

Tim McPhate

GRAMMYs

Jan 12, 2018 - 4:45 pm

As far as the 60th GRAMMY Awards go, the compass is pointing east this year with the milestone telecast taking place at the venerable Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday, Jan. 28.

But it goes without saying, when it comes to the hundreds of music creators who can call themselves 60th GRAMMY nominees, all signs point to disparate locations on the map.

There is, among others, Lorde, who is from Auckland, New Zealand; Ed Sheeran from England; Chronixx from Kingston, Jamaica; Antonio Sánchez from Mexico City; Juanes from Colombia; Petra Müllejans from Düsseldorf, Germany; and Dmitri Hvorostovsky from Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

And then there's the United States, with nominees hailing from Southern California all the way to Bedford, N.H.

For a different slice of the 60th GRAMMY nominees, we broke up a select group of 60 nominees according to their U.S. birthplace by region: West, Midwest, South, and Northeast. In each region you'll find 15 nominees, offering you a taste of the directional sense of how these nominees got from point A — home — to point B — Music's Biggest Night.

West

Out West, a variety of nominees were born in California, including Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator, Warryn Campbell, Tina Campbell, Beck, Julian Lage, and Kehlani. Representing Las Vegas is Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds. India.Arie and Ben Glover hail from Colorado while Raul Midón is from the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. Rounding out the region is a pair of Northwest entries: Natalie Grant from Seattle and Wynne from Portland, Ore.

Midwest

In the Midwest, SZA was born in St. Louis, the Gateway to the West. Oklahoma and Kansas are represented by country and classical royalty in Reba McEntire and Joyce DiDonato, respectively. Illinois, the Prairie State, counts Chicago native Common and Decatur native Alison Krauss as two of its own. Julia Michaels, now a Southern California resident, was born in Davenport, Iowa. The state of Indiana spawned the likes of Offa Rex's Chris Funk, comedian Jim Gaffigan and Bruno Mars collaborator Philip Lawrence. Ohio represents hard rock in the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and jazz with pianist Fred Hersch. Actor/filmmaker Mark Ruffalo calls Kenosha, Wis., his home, while gospel great CeCe Winans came up through the heart of Motown in Detroit. Two legends round out the region: the inimitable Bob Dylan from Minnesota and the late great Glen Campbell from Arkansas, which was once dubbed the Land of Opportunity.

A portion of album proceeds benefits the year-round work of the GRAMMY Museum and MusiCares — two charitable organizations founded by the Recording Academy that focus on music education programs and critical assistance for music people in need.

The project is "dedicated to recasting the popular music canon in more inclusive — and accurate — ways"

Jennifer Velez

GRAMMYs

Jul 30, 2018 - 2:08 pm

National Public Radio has released a list of the 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women+ that includes GRAMMY winners and nominees, and places M.I.A's "Paper Planes" in the No. 1 spot.

The project is "dedicated to recasting the popular music canon in more inclusive — and accurate — ways," the media organization said in the post. The list was compiled by more than 70 women and non-binary writers and includes artists who are women and non-binary. The list "tackles history in making, celebrating artists whose work is changing this century's sense of what popular music can be," NPR stated.

In addition to M.I.A., "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (fronted by Karen O.) came in at No. 2, Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" earned No. 3, Amy Winehouse's classic "Back To Black" took No. 4, and Alabama Shakes' "Hold On" landed at No. 5 thanks to the unforgettable vocals of frontwoman Brittany Howard. Additional GRAMMY winners — from to Lori McKenna to Adele—and nominees, among them SZA and Demi Lovato, also made the list.

With so many great female artists and songs to celebrate already in the 21st century, did your favorite female artists make the list?

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.